Filtering used motor oils



PatentedJune 20,1933

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. MAVERICK AND GEORGE L. IATHESON,OF ELIZABETH, NEW ASQIGNOBS T STANDARD OIL DEVELOPIEN'I' COMPANYFILTERING USED IO'I'OB OILS Io Drawing.

It'is common practice in the operation of automobile en es to by-pass aportion of the crank case ubricating oil so that it passes through afiltering material adapted to take out the small partlcles of metal,dirt or other impurities collected by the oil. Wool and fibrous asbestoshave been suggested as suitable materials for this purpose.

' We have found that improved results are obtained by the use of afibrous or filamentons material prepared from blast furnace sla oranalogous material as hereinafter de ed. The general type of material isThis material gives a slightly alkaline reaction in water. We havedemonstrated that this alkalinity is advantageous in automobile filtersas it neutralizes the acidity which tends to develop in the oil.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to theparticular composition 1ndicated above. The essential requirements formineral wool to be used in this invention are that it shall be composedof interlaced or matted fibers capable of forming a depth filter bedwhich will take up the impurities throughout its mass. For best resultsthe fllter bed should serve also to neutralize the acidity of the oil.

If in any case the slag (or equlvalent artificially formed mineralfusion product) does not contain naturally enough basic material forthis purpose, an adequate amount may be added in the form of a solidbase (prefer- 5 ably anhydrous) such as sodium oxide, potassium oxide,magnesium oxide, the corresponding carbonates, and the like. It ispreferred to add these materials to the slag while fused and before theblowing treatment 50 which divides it into the filamentous orApplication am March 10, 1932. Serial in. 590,092.

fibrous form (slag wool). However, it is wlthin the scope of theinvention to incorporate alkali into the fibres in other ways, as

by commingling the same with small amounts of solid alkaline materialsinsoluble 1n 011, after the slag has been finely divided.

In some cases the slag fibres contain short pieces WlllCll areobjectionable in the filter. To remove these pieces the slag fibres maybe treated by gentle air blowing to displace them, or by slowly passingliquid through the material to float away the small undesired particles.

Our invention has been described particularly 1n connection with fillingmaterial for filters on automobiles or other self-propelled veh1cles,but it will be understood that other applications of the idea areequally advantageous, for example, in filters for use in oil reclaunersand the like.

The invention is not limited to any particular form of oil filter. Forexample, the fibrous slag may be used in structures of the kmd shown 1nthe application of Frank A. gggard, Serial No. 597,591, filed March 8,

Although reference has been made par ticularly to the use of fibers fromblast furnace slag, the invention is not limited to this source ofmaterial. Many types of artificlally prepared mineral wool and glasswool possess the necessary interlaced filamentous structure and have, orcan be supplied with, the basic character which improves the operatlonof the present composition. If desired minor proportions of otherfibrous materials may be 1n'corporated with the slag filaments or thelike, for example cotton linters, wool, asbestos, etc.

Various changes or alternative compositions may be adopted within thescope of the present invention in which it is our desire to claim allinherent novelty as broadly as the prior art permits.

We claim i 95 1. Method of purifying used lubricating oil, comprisingpasing the same through a. mass of an artificially formed mineral fusionproduct having a fibrous structure adapted to remove solid particlesfrom the oil and containing, as an integral part of the mass, a lkalinematerial adapted to neutralize acidic compounds in the oil.

2. Method according to claim 1 in whlch 5 the fibrous, artificiallyformed, mineral fusion product is fibrous basic slag.

3. .Method according to claim 1 in which the fibrous, artificiallyformed, mineral fusion product contains alkaline material added to thefusion product before the formation of fibers therefrom.

4. Method of purifyin lubricating oil while it is being circulate to andfrom the crank case of an internal combustion engine,

comprising continuously passing the 011 in increments through a mass ofbasic slag Wool.

5. Method of purifying lubricating oil while it is being circulated toand from the crank case of an internal combustion engine,

2 comprising continuously passing said oil through a fibrous mass of anartificially formed mineral fusion product containing a substantialquantity of alkaline material as an integral part of the fibrous mass.

6. In combination with the mechanical elements of an oil filter, afilter bed comprising fibers of an artificially formed mineral fusionproduct in condition to act as a depth filter when oil is passedtherethrough and containing, as an integral part thereof, alkalinematerial adapted to neutralize acidic compounds in the oil.

7. In combination with the mechanical elements of an oil filter of thedepth type for 3 use in purifying lubricating oil circulating to andfrom the crank case of an internal combustion engine, a filter bedcomprising fibrous slag containing, as an integral part thereof,alkaline material adapted to neutralize acidic 40 compounds in the oil.

8. In combination with the mechanical elements of an oil filter of thedepth type for use in purifying lubricating oil circulating to and fromthe crank case of an internal combustion engine, a filter bed comprisinga mass of basic slag wool.

9. In combination with the mechanical elements of an oil filter of thedepth type for use in purifying lubricating oil circulating to 60 andfrom the crank case of an internal combustion engine, a filter bedcomprising slag wool containing, as an integral part thereof, alkalinematerial added to the slag before the formation of the wool therefrom.

10. In combination with the mechanical elements of an oil filter, an oilfiltering composition comprising fibrous slag from which the shorterpieces have been removed and which contains a substantial quantity ofalkaline material as an integral part of the slag.

' GEORGE M. MAVERICK. GEORGE L. MATHESON.

